Best Time to See Rabbits in Missouri

May, June and April is the best time to see rabbits in Missouri. Based on 2,814 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when rabbits are most active across the year in Missouri.

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By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.

Eastern Cottontail photographed in Missouri

Eastern Cottontail · Public domain CC0

Eastern Cottontail photographed in Missouri

Eastern Cottontail · antimatterbee CC BY

Eastern Cottontail photographed in Missouri

Eastern Cottontail · Conway Hawn CC BY

Photos by iNaturalist observers, reused under the licence each observer chose.
Best months: May, June, April

2,814 verified observations of rabbits in Missouri, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.

When rabbits are recorded in Missouri

Peak month

May

604 records (21.5% of the year)

Quietest month

December

32 records

MonthObservationsShare
January421.5%
February722.6%
March1284.5%
Aprilpeak50818.1%
Maypeak60421.5%
Junepeak56520.1%
July34412.2%
August2428.6%
September1324.7%
October933.3%
November521.8%
December321.1%

Rabbits you are most likely to see

SpeciesVerified observations
Eastern Cottontail2,632
Swamp Rabbit15
European Rabbit13

Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo

Typical weather in Missouri

Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when rabbits are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for rabbits sit around 45 to 86 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.

MonthAvg highAvg lowRain
Jan43°F27°F3"
Feb45°F25°F3.2"
Mar57°F37°F5.6"
Aprbest time67°F45°F4.7"
Maybest time74°F56°F5.9"
Junbest time86°F65°F4.3"
Jul90°F70°F4.2"
Aug88°F69°F5.1"
Sep84°F63°F2.2"
Oct68°F49°F5"
Nov57°F38°F2.1"
Dec50°F32°F2.1"

Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Missouri. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.

More on rabbits in Missouri:

Sightings of rabbits in Missouri peak in May, when 604 of the year's 2,814 verified observations are logged — about 21.5% of the annual total. Activity stays high through May, June and April.

The quietest stretch is December and January, when rabbits are hardest to find — December sees just 32 records. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.

The rabbits you are most likely to encounter in Missouri are Eastern Cottontail, Swamp Rabbit and European Rabbit — the most-recorded species in the state. Each keeps its own seasonal rhythm, but the month-by-month pattern above reflects every reported sighting together.

Where to go

Best places to see rabbits in Missouri

  • George Washington Carver National MonumentNational Monument
  • Lewis & Clark National Historic TrailNational Historic Trail
  • Ozark National Scenic RiverwaysNational Scenic Riverways
  • Ulysses S Grant National Historic SiteNational Historic Site
  • Wilson's Creek National BattlefieldNational Battlefield
  • Butterfield Overland National Historic TrailNational Historic Trail

Frequently asked questions

What is the best month to see rabbits in Missouri?+

May is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through May, June and April, based on 2,814 verified iNaturalist observations.

When are rabbits hardest to see in Missouri?+

December is the quietest month for rabbits in Missouri, with only 32 verified records.

Are rabbits active year-round in Missouri?+

Rabbits are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Missouri, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in May.